3 Tips for Safe Trips

Truckers know that breakdowns are one of the biggest setbacks that a driver can face. Even the most well-maintained rigs can suffer a tire blowout, have trouble starting in severe weather or have unexpected engine and drive train issues. Keeping your drive free of these issues is always ideal, but here are three tips to help make sure you reach your destination safely and keep your truck running as smoothly as possible.

Look Before You Drive
When’s the last time you checked your tires, your oil or just performed a general preventative maintenance check? While these might seem unimportant or routine, they can make a significant difference and keep you safe while minimizing the risk of a breakdown.

Understand the Signs
Newer truckers may not know all of the signs of severely worn tread or underinflated/overinflated tires, but it’s important to understand these symptoms to avoid unnecessary repairs.

Signs of Severely Worn Tread:

1. Tread Depth Below Safe Limit: If the tread depth is below 2/32 of an inch, the tire is considered legally worn out. This can be measured with a tread depth gauge or by using the “penny test” (inserting a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head down; if you can see the top of his head, it’s time for new tires).
2. Bald Tires: Smooth patches where there is little to no tread remaining.
3. Visible Tread Wear Indicators: Modern tires have built-in tread wear indicators that appear as flat rubber bars running across the tread when it becomes too worn.
4. Uneven Wear: Areas of the tire may be more worn than others, indicating misalignment, improper rotation, or other issues.
5. Cracks or Cuts in the Sidewall: Signs of extreme wear or potential failure.

Signs of Underinflated Tires:

1. Sagging Appearance: A tire that looks flatter at the bottom even when parked.
2. Poor Handling: A feeling of sluggishness or delayed response when steering.
3. Increased Heat: Underinflated tires generate more friction, causing them to heat up more than usual, which can lead to blowouts.
4. Lower Fuel Efficiency: The car needs more energy to move, increasing fuel consumption.
5. Uneven Tire Wear: Excessive wear on the outer edges of the tread.

Signs of Overinflated Tires:

1. Stiff Ride: A bumpier ride due to less tire surface making contact with the road.
2. Center Tread Wear: Overinflation causes the tire to bulge, leading to faster wear along the center of the tread.
3. Reduced Traction: Less contact with the road means poorer traction, especially on wet surfaces.
4. Increased Risk of Damage: The tires are more susceptible to damage from road debris and potholes.

Properly checking tire pressure and regular visual inspections can help prevent the issues associated with worn or improperly inflated tires.

Know Where to Find Service
No matter where you are in the country, it’s useful to have a dependable, on-call mobile mechanic that can be readily available to provide roadside assistance to keep you moving. If you’re looking for a Michigan breakdown service, Truck & Trailer Mobile Repair has got you covered!

Want to schedule your preventative maintenance with T & T Mobile Repair? Call us today at (866) 930-9037 or (810) 875-1535!